In a statement Thursday evening, Xiong's family thanked those who had helped look for her and expressed gratitude for support they have received.

"We are just now coming to terms that she is no longer with us, while we wait for further answers concerning her untimely death," the family said in a released statement. "Caitlyn touched many people's lives in the short time she was here and we know she continues to do so even now. She will be dearly missed by family and friends and words cannot express the anguish we feel with her loss. We would like to extend our gratitude for the outpouring of concern and kindness from those we know and strangers alike."

Her family also asked for privacy as they mourn.

Xiong was last seen by her mother shortly after midnight Oct. 4 at the Appleton home she shared with her grandmother, said Kerry Yang, speaking for Xiong's family after her disappearance became public. Her grandmother woke up in the morning and noticed she was missing.

Yang said previously that the family felt Xiong disappeared under suspicious circumstances and that she was not a runaway or suicidal.

Police said previously that her disappearance was out of character. No activity had occurred on her phone or with her bank accounts since her disappearance, police said last week.

Anyone with information about Xiong's disappearance is asked to call Sgt. Chue Thao at 920-832-5953 or Sgt. Brian Leitzinger at 920-832-5541.